The Blue & White Flash January 19, 2023

Jackson State University celebrates 55th Annual MLK Convocation

Elizabeth Duncan Staff Writer

Jackson State University students, faculty, staff, and other members of the community participated in the 55th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Convocation held on Jan. 14, 2023 at the Margaret Walker- Stringer Grand Lodge.

The convocation started in high spirits as attendees sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing” led by James Fuller, a senior vocal education major from Jackson Miss,

After a welcome from JSU President Thomas K. Hudson, City of Jackson Mayor Antar Lumumba, shared how laws Dr. King fought for remain prevalent today and continue to be implemented in Jackson, Miss.

“When I think today about the

issue of people not having security of things like water, which is certainly a subject that we broach every day, when certain parts of our city have the security of it, while other parts of our city don’t, that seems to remind me of things like ‘separate but equal.”

Lumumba also stated, “This (MLK celebrations) can become somewhat of a perfunctory exercise…it is important that we understand, as it has been said previously, that those who do not know their history are bound to repeat it.”

Joshua Edwards, the 6th Mister JSU, introduced Charlie Cobb, the keynote speaker.

Cobb is an activist, journalist, and 2023 For My People Award recipient. He was born in Washington D.C. in 1943 and later decided to further his education at

Howard University in 1961.

Just a year later in 1962, Cobb went to work as a field secretary for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in Mississippi and moved from his hometown and came to accept Mississippi as his second home.

“Returning to this state, I always feel I’ve come back home. In many ways who I am today begins in Mississippi,” said Cobb.

As a journalist, Cobb was an onair writer for FRONTLINE on PBS and then became the first black staff writer for the National Geographic Magazine.

Cobb is also co-author with civil rights organizer Robert Moses on “Radical Equations: Civil Rights from Mississippi to the Algebra Project.

Cobb’s speech encouraged

students to speak up for themselves, be proud of where they come from, and fight for what’s right. Similar to the legacy King left behind many years ago.

The audience seemed to be receptive to Cobb’s message and he ended his speech with a strong message to the audience.

“People who keep their eyes on the prize, and today this need is more urgent than it has ever been, and perhaps more possible.”

Cobb made sure to emphasize the importance of being involved in the community.

“You have to make a demand for the kind of society in which you want to live, especially if you want to live in a free society,” Cobb said. “As we used to say, ‘freedom is not free.’”

Jackson State students that were in attendance agree that without the

help of King’s vision it would have taken even more time to make a change.

David Saulter, a junior physics major from Jackson, Miss., expressed the impact King has on lives today.

“MLK’s vision has made the world a more equal place,” Saulter said. “If not an equal one, then it has helped to ensure that all minorities have a voice in today’s society.”

Jamal Harris, a junior biologypre physical therapy major from Jackson, Miss., also shared the positive impact King has had in his life.

“He showed me that you do not have to be violent to promote change,” Harris said. “Peace is the only route to take when seeking justice because peaceful determination drives individuals to greater heights.”

Water issues continue to plague city of Jackson

Tatyana Ross

Editor-in-Chief

On-going water issues in Jackson, Miss. continue to plague the residents after several households were left with no running water, low water pressure and boil water notices during the recent holidays.

During a recent town hall meeting, according to published reports, Jackson City Councilman Aaron Banks said third-party administrator Ted Henifin told him water pressure dropped while a crew was working on a problem with a water valve.

Some residents are outraged by the constant water issues in their communities and feel like the city needs to find a better solution.

Alexus

Brown, a Jackson resident, said she is completely fed up with the

constant water complications.

“You never know these days. You can go to sleep one night and wake up the next morning and there’s barely a drip coming from the faucet,” Brown said.

The water pressure issues have also affected Jackson State faculty, staff, and students and the university released a statement nearing the end of Winter Break informing students to anticipate using portable restrooms and to expect heating and cooling challenges in residence halls.

The official statement read, “As an update, the City of Jackson continues to address the water system encompassing the campus. Unfortunately, the process of restoring water to normal operating levels has been slower than expected. Conditions of low to no water pressure negatively impacts

our ability to provide and maintain adequate air conditioning and heating, restrooms and showers, laundry service, and normal food preparation.”

However, these conditions were not an issue and in-person classes started promptly on Jan. 9, 2023.

Emerald Bowen, a junior healthcare administration from Columbus, Miss., said that she feels like Jackson State is trying their best to accommodate students amongst the issues with the water.

“To know that this situation is a long-standing issue is a problem when there are funds in place to help. I was taught to use all my resources,” Bowen said. “In order to better conditions we need better leadership within our community and our state. I’m not confident about the leadership Jackson has nor

do I trust the Governor.”

Water pressure issues persist city-wide leading to the city opening a water distribution center at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds for non-potable water for flushing and cleaning. Brown said she thinks the media has forgotten about the conditions of water in the community and said the issue still needs to be seen in the eyes of the public outside of Jackson.

“The world forgot about us just that quick. I know it is an issue we’ve had for a long time but I don’t think it has ever gotten this bad,” Brown said.

Though some residents of Jackson are feeling forgotten about in the media, famous actor and comedian, Mike Epps stopped in Jackson on tour to host a show at the Convention Center.

According to Channel 12 WJTV, more than one hundred cars lined up as Epps helped distribute cases of bottled water. Epps posed for pictures with fans and said he chose to help out after hearing the latest about the water crisis.

“It’s on the news worldwide. I live in California, and we hear about it on the news as if we were in Jackson. We wanted to do a comedy show. We want to bring good vibes,” Epps said in the WJTV report. “Nobody’s thinking to come to places like this and be positive and bring joy. We’re always going to the big cities where everybody’s hit, but this is a city that really needs to stay resilient, man.” He added, “Keep God first. It’s going to get better and keep on writing and voting to your judges and writing to the government to try to get some help here.”

Photo by Monica McGhee

Keynote speaker and 2023 For My People Award recipient Charlie Cobb during the 55th Annual MLK Convocation.

Tiger Events

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Phone: 601.979.2082

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COMMENTARY

and led the congregation 1954 to 1960. Ten years after King’s assassination in 1978, the church was renamed the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church to honor the former pastor and civil rights activist.

Every year during Black History Month, schools citywide would visit Dexter Avenue Baptist Church on a field trip.

I remember each year at every MLK assembly when all the students would be seated in the cafeteria to listen to one of our fellow classmates recite King’s

“I Have a Dream” speech in its entirety.

Tatyana Ross

Editor-in-Chief

The impact of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s fight against the oppression of our race as AfricanAmerican’s is undeniable. His contribution to the Civil Rights Movement is unmatched.

I am from Montgomery, Ala. so growing up we learned a lot about King’s life, leadership role in the Civil Rights Movement and his time as pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, where King became the twentieth pastor

It felt boring back then but as an adult still living under the conditions of oppression, I think I understand exactly what King was talking about. In his famous

“I Have a Dream” speech he said:

“But 100 years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.

One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds

himself in exile in his own land.”

We fought for desegregation but it didn’t stop the tension of on-going racism that some white people had against our race as a whole. In 2023, we still face racism in our communities and the rise of police brutality against African-Americans continues to stifle growth and progress made over the years.

NBC reported in March 2022 that according to The Washington Post, police shot and killed at least 1,055 people nationwide in 2021. African-Americans accounted for 13 percent of the population in the U.S at the time but accounted for 27 percent of the people fatally shot and killed by police in 2021.

According to the Seattle Race and Social Justice Initiative, there are four ways to categorize racism.

1. Interpersonal racism - Prejudgment, bias or discrimination by a white individual toward a person of color.

2. Institutional RacismPolicies, practices, procedures and culture of an institution or system that work better for white people and cause harm to people of color, often unintentionally

3. Structural Racism - The history, culture and current reality

of racism across institutions; when the institutional racism of multiple institutions overlaps to form a web of racism impacting people and communities of color.

4. Internalized Racism -

The internalization of the racist stereotypes, values, images and ideologies perpetuated by the white dominant society about oneʼs racial group I don’t think this is the outcome of the dream King wanted to see in our community. Recently I started doing research on topics about racism that most people shy away from like “sundown towns”.

According to the website Black Past, Sundown Towns are all-white communities, neighborhoods, or counties that exclude blacks and other minorities through the use of discriminatory laws, harassment, and threats or use of violence.

In the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, sundown towns were at their peaks in the 1970s when many of the towns or even entire counties marked their city limits with racist signs. The most famous sign was from Alix, an Arkansas town in Franklin County reading, “Nigger, Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On You In Alix”.

Knowing that there are towns

still active with such a highly offensive nature makes me feel vulnerable. Especially when further research shows that sundown towns are not endemic to one region or state. According to the Charlotte Observer, the Midwest region has the highest concentration of sundown towns recorded in historical records.

Personally, I feel that people are afraid to expose the truth about places like these. But, silence = violence, in order to make a change, there needs to be full awareness, not just across the U.S. but across the globe, to shed light on the unfair treatment of other human beings because of race.

In 2023, King’s dream is still alive because it hasn’t been fulfilled and I think the only way to achieve it is to revamp it. Racism still exists and if we don’t keep fighting for our own rights then it will continue.

I won’t remain in the shadows and stay quiet any longer and I hope you don’t either. It’s time to speak up for ourselves, our beliefs, and our basic human rights.

The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.

the holiday?”

Compiled by: Amaya Baker

Arnisha Baker Junior Journalism&MediaStudies Chicago, Ill.

“I love giving back to my people through community service as well so this MLK Day, that is what I’ll be doing.” ”

Miah Ford Junior Social Work Racine, Wis.

“I honor MLK Day by trying to help the less fortunate as much as possible.”

Jason Johnson Junior Electrical Engineering Belleville, Mich.

“As the Vice President for the JSU NAACP, I organize marches or voter registration drives to continue having an impact on campus.”

Darren Smith. Junior Biology/Pre-Med Natchez, Miss.

“I honor MLK by chasing my dreams and making them into reality.”

Imani Major Senior Art Vicksburg, Miss.

“I educate myself by talking to the older generations about the real history because academic history classes almost never gave us the entire truth.”

Ezra Snell II

Junior Sociology Clinton, Miss.

“I honor MLK through committing myself as well as my actions to the same principles that he championed so fervently.”

Jeremiah Friday Senior Electrical Engineering Madison, Miss.

“I honor MLK by spreading the peace and supporting non-violent conflicts.”

Jamarcus Davis Junior Civil Engineering Cleveland, Miss.

“I honor MLK by supporting black owned businesses and volunteering my services when I can.”

Airin Beals Junior Chemistry/Pharmacy Chicago, Ill.

“I honor Martin Luther King by remembering all of the sacrifices made in order for future generations to thrive in a racist economy.”

Michael Brooks Sophomore Computer Engineering

“I honor MLK for his righteousness. He inspires me today for his understanding of others and also his love for others.

Antionee Sellers Sophomore Psychology Forest, Miss.

“I honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by having a great lunch with other friends.”

“How do you honor MLK or celebrate

This

is not the dream Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had for us

Photo by Monica McGhee

Lauren Temple Junior Biology/Pre-Med Slidell, La.

“I honor Martin Luther King Jr. every day by leading my community and setting the example.”

Mississippi Association of Broadcasters hosts student conference at JSU

Alivia Welch Managing Editor

For the first time in history, Mississippi Association of Broadcasters (MAB) held a student conference at the Mississippi E-Center. More than 200 media major students across the state gathered to hear from professionals in the industry.

Various topics and possible job opportunities were discussed in different breakout rooms throughout the day.

Students took away countless information and said this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Joshua Edwards, a senior journalism media studies major from Tulsa, Okla. said that networking with

Family and friends remember JSU student Geronimo Warner in memorial service

Students, family and friends mourned the loss of fellow Tiger, Geronimo Warner, a management major from Phoenix, Ariz., and a member of JSU men’s basketball program from 2019-2022. Warner was a part of the men’s team that won the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season title in 2021.

professionals can increase job opportunities for young adults seeking positions in the media business.

“These types of events are important for us because they can open doors that sometimes our resumes...

In a press release from the University, Wayne Brent, former Jackson State head men’s basketball coach, said he was a student with big dreams and they were all falling into fruition.

“Geronimo was a great kid who came to JSU three years ago from Piney Woods High School looking for an opportunity to pursue his dreams of playing basketball on the Division I

Department of Journalism and Media Studies covers midterm election results

level,” Brent said. “He always had a great spirit and enjoyed being at JSU. He will truly be missed.”

Also in the press release, Jackson State University Vice President and Director of

Athletics Ashley Robinson, admits that losing students in such a manner is never easy. “The loss of students who have been a part of our athletics program is difficult, as...

targets West Jackson

including JSU

Antonio Jackson

Staff Writer

The Jackson State University Department of Journalism and Media Studies (DJMS) broadcasted live coverage of the 2022 Midterm Elections on Oct. 8, 2022.

Anchored by DJMS

Department Chair Elayne H. Anthony, the live broadcast provided up-todate information and results for various Mississippi races, such as U.S. House of Representatives, Circuit Court

Judge, Circuit Court Judge, and more.

Student activists, political experts and analysts served as guests interviewed to shed light on the different races and the importance of voting.

“The importance of JMS being involved in election night is to show our students about election coverage and give them the experience of seeing what election coverage is all about,” said Anthony. “Students were integrated into coverage through classroom assignments MOS reports and being downtown

WLBT anchor Barbie Bassett apologizes for comments

Antonio Jackson

Staff Writer

This past weekend, WLBT news anchor, Barbie Bassett, made an offensive comment on air towards fellow news anchor, Carmen Poe. Many viewers felt Bassett’s comments were offensive to both Poe and the black community.

Poe was on sight during the ESPN College Gameday event at Mississippi Veteran’s Memorial stadium when Bassett made a comment that gained a lot of attention.

On air she stated, “Girl, sis, I know you well enough to know that those guys working behind you, they probably know who the celebrity Gameday figure is… I know your mother or your ‘grandmammy’ has got some type of recipe that you could whip up.”

The terms “girl” and “sis”

at the Hinds County Elections office.”

Party At the Polls, an event centered around the election was also showcased. Many students from organizations such as the Student Government Association (SGA), Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society, the Political Science Club, and more came out to spread awareness and encourage other students to exercise their right to vote in this year’s midterm election in a grave attempt to increase voter turnout at the precinct.

DJMS Professor ...

Jackson State University students and employees awoke to the news that seven fires had been intentionally set in the surrounding community, including one at the JSU baseball field.

The fires were mysteriously set on eve of the important midterm elections.

According to WLBT News, the suspect has been identified as 23-year-old Devin McLaurin.

Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones said McLaurin was arrested in Terry, Miss., after a tip. McLaurin is expected to be transferred to the Jackson Police Department for further questioning with representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigations in attendance to see if any hate crimes were committed.

JSU students had this to say about the fires.

Alfred Allen, a freshman biology/pre-medicine major from Milwaukee, Wis. said that he believes the arson ...

Jackson State community weighs in on the importance of voting in the midterms

midterms are crucial after the U.S. Supreme court ruled in favor of overturning of Roe v Wade, a 1973 Supreme Court decision that gave women the legal right to abortion.

“The closest thing we have to making a real difference as young people is to vote. We can have a say over who is elected because they (legislators) determine how much funding colleges receive,” said Tanea Harris, a senior social work major from St. Louis, Mo.

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in certain contexts are a part of the AAVE or African-American Vernacular English. AAVE is a wide vocabulary of terms and phrases that are known to be created by the black community going back several years. These terms are primarily used by African-Americans so when a person from another ...

held on Nov. 8 and students at Jackson State University weighed in on the importance of voting.

“Voting is very important because African-Americans fought for our right to vote and endured hard times for

DJMS students learn what it takes to make it in media at JABJ Bootcamp

Tatyana Ross

us to be able to vote,” said Freshman Class President Caleab Pickens, a public health major from Jackson, Miss. “I also believe by voting the right person in you are securing yourself financially and economically because they are able to enforce laws and add new bills to the government.”

Some feel that the

The overturning of Roe v Wade has put the power in the hands of many states to make the determination on whether abortions is allowed.

As midterm elections approach, it is important to know who is running as well as their stance on issues that affect you in the state of Mississippi. Political Science...

Breast cancer survivor brings awareness to early detection

Members of the Jackson Association of Black Journalists conducted a bootcamp for students in the Department of Journalism and Media Studies on Oct. 27. Held in the California Room at the Mississippi eCenter, local media professionals from news stations in the Jackson area gave students tips of the trade in a question answer formatted event.

The media professionals included: Ross Adams, who served as the moderator of the event, Alexandria Galtney, Executive Producer at WAPT, Patrice Clark WLBT, Quinten Smith WLBT, Byron Brown WJTV, Warren Trent WJTV, Jimmie Gates JABJ President, Lynda

Editor-in-Chief Hasberry JABJ Member, Branden Walker WLBT, Troy Johnson WAPT, Lamonte Brown WAPT, Donovan Wade WAPT and Ross Adams WAPT.JMS Department Chair Elayne H. Anthony stated this was the first in other events the department will have to help students. “I asked our students to attend

the Jackson Association of Black Journalists Bootcamp to connect with professional journalists who are currently working in the field. They were able to listen and ask questions about coverage of stories, internships and jobs,” said Anthony. “The opportunities are presented to students so they will follow up...

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), 1 in 8 women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. However black women are 41 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, despite lower incidence of the disease.

Katherine Bridges of Jackson, Miss. was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 after noticing a constant pain in her breast. She said after ignoring the mild pain for a year, it was time to seek medical attention. Bridges said the following year her doctors confirmed it was indeed breast cancer.

“I kept feeling a sharp pain in my right breast and I kept ignoring it the first year because it was mild, but when I went to the doctor the following year, he confirmed that ...

Arsonist

community

Tatyana Ross Staff Writer

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Alivia Welch Managing Editor

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Photo by Aria Brent

Photo by Monica McGhee

Photo by Monica McGhee

Photo by Jay Morris

Tatyana Ross Editor-in-Chief

Tatyana Ross & Elizabeth Duncan Staff Writers

Never Forget: Remebering the legacy of Latasha Norman

Students learn it is okay to not be okay during suicide prevention program

Latasha Norman was a junior accounting major and staff writer for the student newspaper, The Blue and White Flash and a member of the yearbook staff. She was from Greenville, Miss. and was reported missing on Nov. 13, 2007 after she was last seen walking to class.

Originally reported missing to campus police, her family and friends became worried after they could not contact her all day.

Stanley Cole, an ex-boyfriend, eventually confessed to murdering her and led authorities to her body two weeks after her disappearance on Nov. 29, 2007 in a wooded area in North Jackson.

Further investigation revealed Norman was involved in an abusive relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Cole who was also from Greenville, Miss.

Norman was raised by her parents Patricia and Danny Bolden in a big family with strong Christian values. She was loved by family and the many friends she made on the campus of Jackson State.

“We decided ten years ago to become advocates against domestic violence. My wife and I and my family will continue this ...

Jackson State University’s Latasha Norman Center hosted a suicide prevention presentation, “A Dose of Reality”, with keynote speaker Corsey Richaude Dorsey, on Oct. 12. Priscilla Marin, a sophomore social work major from Dallas, Texas, hosted the event.

Marin, who is known on campus

Jackson State University students react to the overturning of Roe v Wade

as a majorette dancer, said there is so much more to her story than that. She opened up to the audience that many factors such as physical abuse, had a tremendous impact on her mental health.

According to www.cdc.gov/ suicide, many factors can increase the risk for suicide or protect against it. Suicide is connected to other forms of injury and violence. For example, people who have experienced

violence, including child abuse, bullying, or sexual violence have a higher suicide risk.

Marin said that she owns her dark past because it has allowed her to create her own story. She also mentioned that she feels everyone in attendance should walk out with a new perspective on life.

Dorsey began his presentation in a casket, explaining that although many believed he came from ...

Water crisis in Jackson prompts JSU response

The State of Mississippi issued a state of emergency on Aug. 30, 2022 in the city of Jackson as a result of a failure at the water treatment plant.

The Mississippi Department of Health made the emergency declaration in a press release that read in part:

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, allowing individual states the power to revoke laws protecting women’s rights to access abortion.

The case which led to the controversial decision, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, originated in Mississippi leading to the reversal of the almost 50 years of the constitutional right to abortion, according to brennancenter.org.

Since the decision, 17 states, including

Mississippi, have made abortion illegal. Other states however, still allow the procedure.

The Brennan Center reported that “In Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decided that the right to privacy implied in the 14th Amendment protected abortion as a fundamental right. However, the government retained the power to regulate or restrict abortion access depending on the stage of pregnancy. And after fetal viability, outright bans on abortion were permitted if they contained exceptions to preserve life and health.

Some students at Jackson State

Opinion: Overturning of Roe v Wade impacts college students

I was born and raised in Montgomery, Ala. and there has never been a positive association with abortion.

Even when I was little I remember when my older cousins and some of their friends would have to devise an elaborate plan to get abortions so that none of our families would find out.

Looking back on those times, this was not safe but as young women it was something we felt was necessary in order to be viewed as valuable and worthy in our own family and community.

However, society fails to realize there are several circumstances that can cause an unwanted pregnancy ranging from faulty contraceptives, untimely miscarriages, and even situations that involve assault.

So, initially I was shocked by the abortion ban because it did not seem

University were outraged by the court’s decision believing that the government has gone too far and taken away the rights of women to choose what to do with their own body. However, others supported the decision.

Akinola Gonzalez, a graduate student majoring in coastal engineering major from Chicago, said the abortion ban did not affect him but he sees the positive side of overturning Roe v. Wade.

“Our younger generation all have a tendency for making mistakes,” Gonzalez said. “A life should not be taken away for another ...

Pursuant to the Mississippi Safe Drinking Water Act of 1997 (§4126-1 et sec.), the Mississippi State Department of Health, upon receipt of information that emergency circumstances exist for customers of the City of Jackson, Mississippi drinking water system to receive safe drinking water and that a public water system emergency exists, is imminent or can reasonably be expected to occur without the immediate implementation of additional staffing and remediation measures hereby declares a public drinking water supply emergency in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

Such Declaration is based upon information received by the Mississippi State Department of

Health (“MSDH”) as follows:

• Insufficient number of certified operators at J.H. Fewell and O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plants

• Insufficient number of maintenance staff at all water treatment plants and to support the distribution system

• Failure of multiple raw water pumps at O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant

• Low levels of water in storage tank

• Low water pressure impacting proper sanitation and education opportunities ...

real to me at first.

The reversing of 50 years of federal access to abortion is mind boggling and leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t know what to expect to lose next.

With abortion laws banned this puts women’s families, health, and safety at risk. There is no protection when it comes to women’s rights ...

The Woman King

movie

sheds light on the role of Africans in slave trade

Much of history recounts the plight of African-Americans during the slave trade and the subsequent oppression of people of color. But now a different perspective has hit the movie screens. “The Woman King” movie portrays what African’s experienced during the slave trade.

The most important thing about “The Woman King” that must be highlighted is its story. The film’s plot is heavily centered around the trauma that Africans faced during the slave trade and what they went through. The movie does not hesitate to use shocking scenes to educate the audience. With each twist and conflict, it is very difficult to break your attention away from the story.

The movie did well on tearing through the surface on the early days of black enslavement, and sheds light on a matter that isn’t often explored.

Opinion: Domestic violence can’t always be seen by the naked eye

Cameron Adams Sports Editor

According to the Centers for Disease Control, domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power over another intimate partner.

Domestic violence is a disturbingly common issue within the Black community.

As a black man from Jackson, Miss., I am aware of the financial barriers created to keep my people in negative statistics. Statistics that hold black women as the highest percentage of domestic violence victims. At Coburn Place, a well known

domestic violence program, 65 percent of their clients in 2020 identified as black and female. This is true at many domestic violence service organizations nationwide in my opinion.

The film brings forth the knowledge that Africans also played a pivotal role in helping the slave traders.

It mentioned several things that divided them as a people. Such as selling their own people for fortune and having them fight and even killing one another.

The cinematography of the movie is unmatched. The music, camera

And what is the cause of this issue?

I believe it is the lack of resources offered to black people. Jackson is a prime example of a majority black population not receiving the proper funds to maintain a safe environment.

Not feeling safe on the streets of Jackson is highly understandable, but feeling threatened in your own home is something no one should experience.

Domestic violence is one of the worst types of abuse, because it happens behind closed doors. The victim is left at home with the attacker, which means that there is truly no escape unless they reach out for help.

Due to this conflicting issue, most police officers will only take domestic abuse cases if...

angles and acting were all in sync and complimented each other well. “The Woman King” does a great job keeping the viewer’s attention and having them feel immersed in the film.

Viola Davis does nice work in her role as Nanisca, the leader of the all-women warrior group, the Agojie. Her character was the ...

Ye continues to cause uproar with statements

If you are wondering what all the uproar about Kanye West or Ye as he prefers to be called, you need only watch Revolt’s hit podcast “Drink Champs” interview with the music legend on YouTube.

In this interview, Ye made various statements that caused quite the bit of controversy among the Jewish and African-American communities. He accused Jewish people of “owning the black voice” among a multitude of other allegations. He stated, “The Jewish community… will take one of us, the brightest of us… they’ll take us and milk us till we die.”

In addition to this, Ye shared his

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Photo by William Kelly III

Graphic by Cameron Adams

take on the death of George Floyd. Floyd was an African-American man who died as a result of police brutality on May 25, 2020. Derek...

Antonio Jackson Staff Writer

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Shakell James Staff Writer

Tatyana Ross Editor-in-Chief

Tatyana Ross Editor-in-Chief

Tatyana Ross Editor-in-Chief

Tatyana Ross Editor-in-Chief

Antonio Jackson Staff Writer

Breast cancer awareness month movies to watch

Movies have the ability to provide insight in many different situations. In many ways movies provide a form of escape from what is happening in real life or provide educational opportunities to learn about different topics.

They also invoke the ability to feel various emotions without having to experience any of the events that led to the emotions directly.

During the month of October, for obvious reasons, watching movies about breast cancer can do all these things and more.

For instance, “A Fault in our Stars”, an award-winning film released in 2014, heavily covered the love, life, and death of young teens who have been diagnosed with cancer. Instantly the audience is filled with empathy. The two main

Opinion: Exercise your right to vote and let your voice be heard

Each primary voting year, specifically November, is a time when eligible voters take the time to exercise their right to vote.

In my opinion, it is one of the few ways you can feel powerful and voice your opinion without actually speaking.

Graphic by Tatyana Ross

characters Hazel Grace Lancaster (real name) and Gus Waters (real name) met in a cancer support group. The two become friends and their romantic relationship grows as they discover the commonalities of their struggles. Ultimately, their goal is to live life the best they can until one or both of them is taken out by cancer...

Many people of color in the South, particularly African-Americans, were not able to vote despite the 15th Amendment which in brief states, “Citizens shall not be denied or abridged the right to vote based on their race, color or previous condition of servitude in the U.S.”, until the 1965 Voting Rights Act was implemented to give African-American voting rights.

You might ask, why is this important information to know now? Well, this was only about 60 years ago and we all know someone in their

Aria’s Appetite Review: Sambou’s African Kitchen serves up international delights

and eaten with your hands. Although fufu doesn’t taste like much on its own, the many stews and soups it can be served with are described to be robust, flavorful and filling.

With this in mind, I had high hopes for Sambou’s African Kitchen.

Located on County Line Road, in Ridgeland, Missi., Sambou’s is in an unlikely location and is kind of hidden, but I assure you the restaurant is well worth finding.

Upon entering the restaurant, I was greeted by their friendly host and offered a menu to order my carry-out order. The restaurant was beautifully decorated. It had a modern appeal to it all the while still displaying their proud African heritage.

sixties, whether it be our parents, grandparents, family members or others.

As a young adult, we often feel our vote does not matter or make a difference, but in the year of 2016, millennials (ages 20-35), made up 27 percent of all eligible voters.

I know you’re probably thinking that 27 percent is not a lot, but this

number was very close to the same amount of Baby Boomers (ages 52-70), who lead the electoral votes consecutively. Besides the facts listed above, we (Millennials) and Post Millennials (ages 18-19), are among the most impacted by the leaders in office.

I’m sure you remember in 2020 after the death of George ...

Black Adam lights up the box office on opening weekend

Antonio Jackson Staff Writer

The world premiered the new film “Black Adam” on Oct. 21, 2022.

According to Box Office Mojo by IMDbPro, the film earned over $67 million domestically and over $75 million internationally, grossing a total of $156 million worldwide.

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, the film is a perfect example of a hero who followed his own rules for the sake of the greater good.

Aria Brent Variety Editor

I’m no stranger to ethnic food. Growing up, my mom exposed me to a lot of different cultures and I’ve always looked at international food with the mindset that “If everyone in this ethnic group raves about this dish, it can’t possibly be that bad.” So when the internet began to flood with videos of people trying fufu, a

traditional West African dish made of mashed cassava until it reaches the consistency of a soft dough- I had to try it!

Prior to the dish taking the internet by storm, I was already familiar with it thanks to some of my high school friends who were West African. Despite, being ahead of the trend, I didn’t get the chance to try the dish until recently. The dough is typically served with a variety of stews

Although I had my heart set on trying fufu with one of the several stews they offered, some issues with that arose. The dough is offered with egusi soup or okra-beef soup. Egusi soup is made with crayfish and I have a shellfish allergy. So, I was going to opt for the okra-beef soup. They were kind enough to let me sample the soup along with a little portion of the fufu prior to ordering an entire plate of it and I’m glad they did.

The okra-beef soup was ...

“Black Adam” has the possibility of changing the views of superheroes to the world. When the term superhero is brought up people think of some person with superpowers fighting for peace and justice.

Black Adam, played by Dwayne Johnson, followed the story of TethAdam, a slave whose family was killed by the selfish king of Kahndaq. Blessed with the strength and power of the seven wizards, Teth-Adam becomes Black Adam.

In a vengeful rage kills the king and his palace, freeing Kahndaq. However, the seven wizards disapproved of this action and punished him for his crime. Black

Adam killed six wizards but was sealed away by the last one that survived.

Thousands of years later, Black Adam was released by rebels of the new oppressors of Kahndaq, Intergang. With the help of others, he destroys Intergang and becomes the new leader and protector of his people. The film’s plot did an impressive job displaying the evolution of the Black Adam’s character. At the beginning, he is shown to be a cold hearted, grieving, lone wolf who was clearly out of touch with the...

Aria’s Appetite Review: White Chicken Chili recipe Opinion: Smaller elections matter just as much as presidential elections

enough people around my age group understand the importance of voting in midterm elections. I think we put off smaller elections like the midterms and only focus on the presidential election.

In a previous issue of The Flash there were several students that were unaware of the elections and the particular policies we were voting for.

So, I admit I did not have a lot of faith for my fellow peers on election day.

It was a joy to see so many students on campus ready to vote. I registered to vote on Jackson State’s campus a few years ago in 2017 when I came in as a freshman but this is my first time taking part in the Mississippi elections.

Jackson State added to the

Jackson State University students share thankful and heartwarming stories

Elizabeth Duncan Staff Writer

Jackson State University students have been missing home lately. Home is more than just a brick building that you sleep in every night. Home is a place where you make memories with the ones you love and that will stick with for a lifetime.

As we prepare to go on Thanksgiving/fall break, students on campus took the time to share some of their favorite memories, heartwarming stories, and lessons they have had with their family.

Mason Rollins, a freshman political science major from Baltimore, Md., recalls the time

that he and his dad took a trip to New York and shared a beautiful father/son bonding moment.

“Okay, so my dad and I are huge “Stranger Things” fans. He was getting ready to move to New York and found

out that there was a “Stranger Things” experience, which is an interactive event. The event puts you in the world of “Stranger Things” as if you were a part of the show,” stated Rollins...

experience with a march to the polls held on the 2nd Floor of the Student Center. Unfortunately, I was not able to participate in the march but it was cool to see.

Up until now I was sending my absentee ballot back to my hometown Montgomery, Ala. I cannot say that I am particularly shocked by the results of midterm elections on Nov. 8, 2022.

Personally, I do not think

However, they proved me wrong, according to Good Morning America, Generation Z had a large turnout at the polls that could possibly be linked to the abortion ban.

I have been registered to vote since the day I turned 18 years old and prior to that going to the polls every election with my mother is a core memory for me. She would always vote after school so that me and my younger sister could go with her.

The first time she ever took me to the polls I thought she was taking a test ...

Dependency of social media negatively impacts young adults

In less than a generation, it seems social media has evolved creating a dependency for young people in our society.

According to research from Oberlo, people between ages 20 through 29, use social media more than others of different ages. I can attest to that because sometimes I find myself glued to my phone just like my peers. Many of us use social media as an easy way to escape from reality.

Social media is where we tend to catch up on our celebrity gossip, stay in contact with long distance friends or family, and essentially view the lives

of people we do not know personally. In further reading on ProCon. org, I noticed the common trend in the list of pros focused on the...

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Alivia Welch Managing Editor

Tatyana Ross Editor-in-Chief

Aria Brent Variety Editor

Tatyana Ross Editor-in-Chief

Photo by Aria Brent

Tatyana Ross Editor-in-Chief

Graphic by Tatyana Ross

Graphic by Tatyana Ross

Jackson State Tigers win battle of the big cats

Injury of Tua Tagovailoa to lead to new concussion protocols

a head injury five days before in the matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Daylen Foster, a journalism and media studies major from Biloxi, Miss., said that the medical experts should do a better job making sure players do not get critically injured on the field.

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Cameron Adams Sports Editor

Jackson State University made history on and off the field on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 in BoomBox Classic.

J-State not only dominated Southern University’s football team in the BoomBox Classic, 35-0, but also delivered it with a Sonic Boom.

Jackson State’s Sonic Boom of the South and the J-Sette put on an amazing show for the 53,885 fans

who packed the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. This victory against the Jaguars broke the school’s original record for the best start of the season with a record of 8-0.

Although the Tiger’s football team had a historical evening, it was the fans who made history first.

The city of Jackson hosted ESPN’s College GameDay for the first time in history and the people did not disappoint. College GameDay host, Rece ...

Tua Tagovailoa, a NFL player with the Miami Dolphins, suffered a concussion on Sept. 25 during a matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. Many feel that game officials failed to handle the incident with proper concussion protocol.

Jackson State University soccer team claims regular season SWAC title

Head coach, Dr. Ted Flogaites discussed the importance of staying hungry for the championship.

“We’ve won the regular season, but that’s over. The only thing we should be looking at is Thursday at Alabama A&M,” Coach Flogaites said.

This mindset is not only installed in the coaching staff, but also in the players.

Tionna Taylor, a junior from Chandler, Ariz., is the goalkeeper for the Lady Tigers. She discussed the team’s mentality going into a new journey.

“We can do whatever we did in the regular season, but when you get to those elimination games that’s all that matters”, said Taylor. “Nothing we did in the past matters. It’s important to take it game by game.”

This incident has raised discussions across the globe and the community is urging the people in charge to take concussions seriously and properly enforce a concussion protocol. According to CBSNews.com, many questioned if Tagovailoa should have even been playing on that night, as it appeared he suffered

“If I was the coach or one of the medical experts, I would have made sure that none of this has occurred,’’ said Foster. “If I were a football player with how they handled the situation, I wouldn’t be out there. The NFL needs to change their protocols because the football players’ safety should come first.”

Andrew Hills, a marketing major from Natchez, Miss, said he is a Tua Tagoviloa fan. He also thinks that the protocol should have been handled better.

“Concussions have been a huge problem in the football scene. and the protocol needs some changes done to it,” said Hills. “However, I will commend them for...

Tigers defeat Grambling in soccer championship match

Jackson State University’s Women’s soccer team capped off their dominant 2022 season as champions of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

On Nov. 6, the Lady Tigers were crowned the 2022 SWAC champions after going into overtime against Grambling State University.

At the end of the regular season, the 2022 SWAC Postseason Honors ceremony was held in Houston, Texas on Nov. 2.

The Jackson State University soccer team claimed the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season championship after taking down Texas Southern, 2-0 on.

The Tigers completely dominated the SWAC, causing them to finish the season with the number one seed with a record of 7-1-1 in the conference.

Now the team has their eyes set on bringing home the gold. They will face off against Prairie View A&M on Nov. 3 as they open up the 2022 SWAC Soccer Tournament.

The soccer team celebrated their regular season title by supporting Jackson State’s football team in full SWAC attire, showing every who is truly SWAC.

Despite the achievement, the Tigers refuse to become complacent.

JSU students discuss the future of their NBA teams

The National Basketball Association is changing before our eyes since the 2022-23 season began on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, fans have been blessed with high level basketball.

The players the world once watched through viral college highlights are now dominating the league.

The high-flying former Murray State guard, Ja Morant is putting on for the south averaging 29.3 points per game, while leading a determined Memphis Grizzlies team and giving out daily highlights.

The Grizzlies are looking for redemption after NBA Champions, the Golden State Warriors ended their 20212022 season in the Western Conference Semifinals. Morant is not the only

The determination to succeed is in full effect, going into the SWAC championship tournament and the team’s chemistry is only strengthening their chances of going all the way.

“The team has just looked at the big picture, so it just glued us all together”, said Sydni Wilson, a senior Defender for the team and Georgia native. “We focus on how ...

After leading the Tigers to a 7-11 conference record, head coach, Dr. Theodore Flogaites was named SWAC Soccer Coach of the Year. Coach Flogaites has now earned this award in three separate conferences.

Sophomore Tionna Taylor was crowned SWAC Goalkeeper of the Year thanks to her tremendous effort at stopping the ball. She has only allowed one goal in nine conference matches. She also holds the number one spot in the conference for goalsagainst average (1-11).

Jackson State had three members selected for All SWAC First Team honors. Defender Ayanna Pinder,

midfielder Sage Margruder, and Tionna Taylor were all met with First Team accolades.

Defender Sydni Wilson, forward Annalise Brunson and midfielder Chantae Blackwood were credited with All-SWAC Second Team honors.

Sydni Wilson was also named SWAC’s Defensive Player of the Year. Wilson’s defensive efforts played a key factor in the Tigers’ defense that only allowed two goals in conference action. JSU’s defense shutout six straight conference opponents, including seven shutouts in...

Jackson State University reveals the addition of a new Esports league team

in joining the team, the Innovation Center has invested in creating a facility to have PCs and consoles set up in the H.T. Sampson Library on the second floor.

Jackson State is viewing Esports as a potential recruiting tool for incoming students that are interested in playing competitive games professionally.

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player performing MVP caliber basketball.

The 6 ‘7 Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Luka Doncic, is leading out of seven players who are currently averaging at least 30 points per game.

Jayme Mitchell, Jackson native and sophomore guard for the Jackson State University basketball team...

Jackson State University is in the process of creating an Esports team to compete in the HBCU Esports league with faculty sponsor and coach, Nathan Towery, Ph.D.

To further aid Towery and other students interested

Kyrie Irving receives backlash for posting antisemitic video online

Antonio Jackson Staff Writer

Kyrie Irving, a Brooklyn Nets point guard and elevenyear NBA veteran, posted a link to “Hebrew to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” on his Twitter with no context. It is a 2018 documentary that is powered by antisemitic speech.

This took place during the Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, controversy, where he received backlash for also spreading antisemitic views during an interview on YouTube. This resulted in a domino effect, causing Irving to gain a similar pushback

from the Jewish community. When asked about the post during a postgame interview, he explains where and how he found the documentary. “My name translates

into the Hebrew language as Yahweh. So, I went on to Amazon Prime, I was like ‘You know what? Let me see if there are any documentaries on Yahweh.’ I went into the search bar, typed in Yahweh, that’s came up. I shared it on my platform and that was my night.”

Irving explains that sharing the link was not about spreading hate, but to spread awareness about the origins of his people.

“In terms of the backlash, we’re in 2022, history is not supposed to be hidden from anybody and I’m not a divisive person when it comes to religion...

The team roster is still in process because everything has not been confirmed. Towery said they are still chartering with the university to make it official.

The club has hosted a couple of tournaments to build interest up for students to join.

Towery said there were roughly 20 students who showed up to play 2K and Madden.

Towery also stated that roster sizes vary when it comes to competitive gaming.

“Apex Legends is going to

Coach

have four slots, Overwatch is going to have five slots, and 2K and Madden are going to have two slots for each,” Towery said. “Let’s say a game like Call of Duty, you’ll have five members of a team compete against another team with five members from another school, the goal is to win against the other team just like any other sport.”

He views Esports the same as he would view any other competitive sport like basketball, football, or soccer. Towery said he played in a few different tournaments growing up but he has been streaming on Twitch since 2019.

However, this is his first time being a coach and helping run a program, but he said he is an active member in the Esports community and now he wants to provide that opportunity for the students...

‘Prime’

Jackson State University’s Head Football Coach, Deion “Prime”

Sanders, led the Tiger’s to a victory at the 2022 SWAC Championship on Dec. 3, 2022, and announced he was leaving his position on the university’s football team to the public the next day after only three seasons.

According to Clarion Ledger, Sanders signed a contract with Jackson State to remain the head coach for three years.

After accepting an offer of close to $30 million dollars from the University of Colorado to assume the role as head coach, Sanders will have to buyout the remainder of

Photo provided by Sydni Wilson

Antonio Jackson Staff Writer

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Tatyana Ross Editor-in-Chief

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Jalan Braxton Staff Writer

JSU welcomes T.C. Taylor as new head football coach

With everyone waiting to see Jackson State’s next move, the former head coach shared his opinion on who deserves the next call up.

“My recommendation goes to T.C.,” Sanders stated after his resignation announcement. “They know how I feel about T.C… I would not be here if it weren’t for this man.”

Taylor was originally the team’s wide receiver coach, where he led multiple receivers who dominated the SWAC, such as senior receiver Shane Hooks and graduate student Dallas Daniels.

Before Taylor served as the wide receiver coach for Jackson State, he was a historic member of the Jackson State football team.

Coach Taylor was a former quarterback and wide receiver for JSU from 1998-2001. During his time on the team, his extraordinary play secured him a spot in Jackson State history.

Taylor racked up 84 receptions for 1,234 yards and 11 touchdowns breaking the school’s single season record. Coach Taylor would eventually take his talents to the NFL where he played for the New England Patriots and the Detroit Lions.

Taylor’s remarkable knowledge on the offensive end would lead him to many other coaching opportunities, but now T.C. faces a completely new challenge.

Taylor is more than aware of the weight put on his shoulders, and doesn’t plan to slow down.

“We’re going to continue to dominate,” Coach Taylor said. “We’re going to continue to bring the best players in here. Because that’s what it’s all about… No step back man.”

Taylor has immediately begun to fulfill his promises. Since becoming head coach, he has signed 14 new players to Thee I Love football program.

As Jackson State prepares for a new season with a new team, there are still some familiar faces present on the roster. One of those faces includes Sy’veon Wilkerson, the 5’9 sophomore running back from Chicago, Ill.

Wilkerson announced his return to the team on Christmas Eve, weeks after Coach Taylor’s announcement.

“We gave [Tiger] fans a little Christmas present,” Wilkerson said. “Now it’s time to go to work.”

As the 2022-23 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) football season came to an end, Jackson State University’s “Prime” era did as well. On Tuesday Dec. 13, 2022, Jackson State University announced T.C. Taylor as the new

head coach of the Tigers football team.

After the Jackson State Tigers football team brought home the 2022-23 SWAC Championship against Southern University, former Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders announced his departure from the organization.

The National Football League Hall of Famer announced his

signing as the new head coach of the University of Colorado immediately following the championship game. Although the news left a bad taste in the mouths of some Tigers fans, the decision was no surprise due to rumors being released weeks prior to the championship match up. After the Tigers concluded their celebration, talks about who would replace Coach Prime were in full effect.

His time on the field was cut short due to injuries, but that didn’t stop him from continuing his passion for football.

After closing his chapter as a football player, the McComb, Miss., native would turn to the coaching role. His first opportunity came from Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Miss., where he took the job as the wide receiver and quarterback coach from 200511.

Tigers fans immediately rejoiced at his decision due to his outstanding performance during his 2022-23 season. Wilkerson rushed for more than 1,100 yards and 9 TD in 2022 and was named SWAC Newcomer of the Week four times.

As Coach Taylor and the JSU Football Tigers prepare for a highly anticipated 2023-24 season, the mission is as clear as day: Guard Thee Yard.

Georgia claims another football championship in win against TCU

The University of Georgia Bulldogs have claimed the National College Football Playoff Championship for the second consecutive year.

The Bulldogs took down the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs in a blowout victory (65- 7) at the So-Fi Stadium on Jan. 9, 2023.

The win solidified Georgia as one of the very few teams to win back-to-back championships. The only other teams to do so are Alabama, Nebraska, Texas, and Oklahoma.

Georgia’s unpredictable offensive attacks from the receivers and blocks from the O-Line, allowed them to cruise to the finish line. As the first quarter began, TCU was called for a false start, which resulted in a loss of valuable yards.

Georgia was able to capitalize after a penalty, thanks to their star Quarterback Stetson Bennett.

Bennett’s efforts to find his teammates, resulted in a crucial scoring drive which set themselves at the Texas Christian’s 21-yard line.

Bennett continued to terrorize the defense, after a

fake handoff opened up an easy route allowing him to run his way to the endzone, pushing the score to seven to none.

After the emphatic touchdown from the Bulldogs, they continued to use the momentum to secure a defensive stop. This stop allowed them to receive the ball back and add three more points to their total.

Georgia became a dominant force over the next two quarters due to overwhelming performances from Bennett, Ladd McConkey, Brock Bowers, Branson Robinson, Kendall Milton, and Adonai Mitchell.

The six Georgia Bulldog players combined for nine touchdowns.

As a defensive unit, Georgia was a complete force to be reckoned with. Every player on the defensive roster accumulated a tackle and five players recorded a sack.

According to ESPN, Georgia was able to obtain over 580 yards in contrast to TCU’s 180 yards. The Bulldogs also gained 32 first downs which compares to Texas Christian’s nine first downs.

Georgia finished their season 15-0, which was their school’s best record in history. Georgia fans everywhere rejoiced at the huge win for the organization.

Jaylin Acker, a freshman business major from Atlanta, Ga., expressed confidence in the Bulldogs winning it all.

“I knew Georgia was going to win. Me being from Atlanta, I have always been a Georgia fan,” Acker said.

Vance Linton, a sophomore marketing major from Atlanta, Ga., expressed an immense amount of confidence in the Bulldogs win.

“What is a frog to a Bulldog,” Linton said.

While Georgia fans were satisfied with the outcome of the game, others were disappointed in the performance of the Horned Frogs.

Iben Mason, a sophomore business major from New Orleans, La., admitted he had higher expectations for the championship match.

“It was a disservice to say the least. I thought it would’ve been a more competitive and strategic game,” Mason said. Even fans who did not have a specific preference in the winner, seemed disappointed with the Bulldog’s dominating performance.

Ethan Goode, a senior journalism and media studies major from Memphis, Tenn., claimed to be an avid-football fan expressed his thoughts

on the underwhelming postgame results.

“I was a little disappointed,” Goode said. “I had my expectations of this game being very close and competitive, especially since both teams had great matchups in the semifinals.”

With these great seasons behind them, Georgia and TCU plan to utilize their offseason to focus on recruiting and improving the roster to ensure that they come back stronger than last season.

Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin suffers life threatning injury on field

Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills, suffered a cardiac arrest on the field against Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2, 2023.

The injury took the air out of the lungs of viewers, since he appeared to be fine after the tackle. Hamlin got up immediately following the hit, but then shortly collapsed.

The arena silenced as Denny Kellington, a Bills assistant athletic trainer, performed CPR on Hamlin for nine minutes before he was transported to the nearest hospital and placed under critical condition.

According to the New York Times, the game was postponed after Hamlin’s condition was revealed to the public but a number of fans expressed disappointment that the game was not canceled sooner.

Javin Cole, a sophomore accounting major from Austin, Texas, said he feels like the NFL made the proper decision.

“It was surprising and scary, and they did a good job canceling the game,” said Cole. Well-known sport analyst,

Skip Bayless, received backlash due to an insensitive tweet regarding the NFL’s decision to postpone the game.

“The Undisputed” co-star tweeted, “No doubt the NFL is considering postponing the rest of this game - but how? This late in the season, a game of this magnitude is crucial to the regular-season outcome … which suddenly seems so irrelevant.”

The tweet gained immediate backlash from celebrities, fans, and athletes who all agreed that Hamlin’s health was the main priority. With Bayless on the receiving end of an extreme magnitude of hate, he released an apology emphasizing his concern for the Bills safety.

Christy Cunningham, head nurse at Columbus Baptist Hospital, said she was shocked by the initial incident and after finding out the severity of his injury, she suggested the team should focus on their health more.

“It was shocking to see him get up after the tackle and then fall back down. Most would’ve thought it was from the hit,” Cunningham said. “His health should be checked more, you never know if this incident is because of something bigger.”

The NFL honored the Bills safety by having all 32 teams have his jersey number (3) on the field, a pregame moment of silence, and a visual on the scoreboard praying for Hamlin’s recovery. While the Bills added a custom patch to their uniform displaying Hamlin’s number.

With Hamlin’s health steadily improving, fans and other athletes began to display their appreciation for the medical team who were able to save Hamlin. ESPN reported Hamlin was discharged from the hospital on Jan. 11, 2023. He has since returned to the Bills facility, where he was embraced by his team and staff. NFL fans are wishing Hamlin a speedy recovery and hoping for a future return for the Buffalo safety.

Some Jackson State students believe Hamlin’s injury stems from the NFL’s poor safety protocol and the overall hidden danger in contact sports like football.

Andrew Evans, a senior accounting major from Dallas, Texas, said he believes the NFL needs updated safety protocol to ensure their players remain healthy.

“It was shocking, you mostly hear about knee injuries and

concussions and the league should check on players more to be safe,” Evans said.

Ian Dickson, a freshman education major from Snellville, Ga., said he never imagined it could be that serious.

“It was shocking, football is

already considered a dangerous sport and for this to happen after a tackle made it even more dangerous,” Dickson said.

According to the NFL, the most common injuries players receive are concussions, ACL tears, and MCL tears.

University of Georgia Bulldogs win National College Football Championship for the second year in a row.

Cameron Adams Sports Editor

Matthew Adams Staff Writer

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Photo: Charles A. Smith

T.C. Taylor named JSU ‘s new head football coach.

Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills.

Levon Campbell Staff Writer

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